The 5 Best Outdoor Solar Lights – [2018]

Outdoor solar led lights are an affordable and environmentally friendly way to illuminate your property. With the best outdoor solar lights you can add light to your outdoor areas completely independent of a power source.

Solar outdoor lights powered by the sun are cost-effective, low on maintenance and available in a variety of styles, suitable for different applications. We have reviewed the best outdoor solar lights for five different use cases around your house.

How do you decide which Outdoor Solar Lights are best for your needs?

We’ve made the selection process easy and straightforward for you by picking the top model in five categories: solar spot lights, solar flood lights, solar patio lights, solar string lights and solar post lights. We’ll highlight the features and best uses for each model, and then answer common questions regarding outdoor solar lights in The Benefits of Solar Lights.

The Urpower solar spotlight is a highly versatile model with dual functionality as well as two placement options. You can stake these outdoor solar lights into the ground, or mount them onto a wall with the included screws. In both scenarios, you can adjust the spot for optimal illumination.

This pack includes two solar LED lights, each of which features four LEDs with 50 Lumens each for a total of 200 Lumens. This spot is very bright and perfect for illuminating walking areas, shining light on walls, architectural highlights or garden designs.

The spot can be rotated at a 90° angle, while the solar panel can be adjusted at a 180° angle, enabling you to optimize the charging capabilities for each light individually.

A replaceable lithium-ion battery of 2,220mAh powers each unit, providing light for six to nine hours on a full charge. Depending on light conditions, a day of sunlight is enough to give you sufficient charge for the lights to last from dusk until dawn. An automatic on/off setting powers the lights up at dark and shuts them off at sunrise.

You have two different brightness settings, the brighter of which can light up things at a distance of roughly 15 feet. These lights could actually be too bright for subtle effects, in which case you can dim them further by manually applying a transparent foil over the LEDs.

The Urpower solar spotlight is available in cold and warm white as well as a multi-color option with a red, green, blue and yellow LED where the unit cycles through a mix of colors. Thanks to bright LEDs and adjustable light source and solar panel as well as two placement options, this model is not only very affordable, but also versatile and well-suited for a range of use cases.

The Litom Solar Outdoor Light is a powerful flood light that will reliably illuminate areas outside your house. You can use this solar light for step lighting, security lighting, pool lighting, or overhead lighting for doors and entrances.

This solar LED light is very bright with big LEDs, 18 of which will illuminate the area underneath, while three more on each side provide light to the left and right of the unit, giving you a lighting angle of 270°. This wide-angle design provides light to an area that’s on average 2.5 times larger than other similar models.

With three different modes, the Litom solar outdoor light is great for different use cases. The medium light mode works like a simple timer mode, providing medium brightness from evening to morning. The other two modes make use of the built-in motion detector.

The dim light sensor mode shines a dim light all night, but switches to super bright light when motion is detected. In sensor mode, the unit stays off until motion is detected and then shines a super bright light.

The motion sensor has a 120° sensing angle and a range of 10 to 26 feet. In order to provide light throughout the night, the Litom solar flood light needs sunshine of at least 7 hours.

The manufacturer therefore recommends an approximate install height of 5.6 to 6.6 feet. In winter, the lack of light can lead to shorter illumination hours.

This model is durable and waterproof thanks to high-impact ABS material. The installation is quick and easy with the provided wall plug and screws. The light can easily be removed and placed in a different spot on a different bolt. The Litom solar flood light comes with a two-year warranty and customer service.

The Avaspot solar outdoor lights come as a pack of two units. This makes them ideal for mounting on either side of your patio door, or on opposing walls. For a large area, you can get more than one pack and install several units. These patio solar lights feature 15 LEDs per unit for plenty of bright light.

The design of this unit is unique, with a slanted top housing a large solar cell. The angle ensures the cell is able to catch more sunlight during the day. The bottom with the LEDs is flat and will be parallel to the ground when mounted on a wall.

The Avaspot solar outdoor lights work with a motion sensor that features a 120° sensing angle and can detect movement from 10 to 26 feet away. The lights come on bright when there is movement within range, and stay on for 10 more seconds after the last motion has been sensed. There is no variation in brightness.

Each unit is powered by a 1,200mAh rechargeable lithium 18650 battery. On a full charge, this will give you 4 to 8 hours of light. A slightly higher battery capacity would be better for holding more charge, but this size paired with the large solar panel at least ensures you can return to a full battery with one day of sunshine.

These outdoor solar lights are made from durable plastic and are IP64 waterproof with a design that prevents water infiltration when it rains. The slanted designs prohibits the buildup of snow on top of the solar panel. Installation is easy and straightforward with no wiring. The mounting hardware is included.

You get a 12-month warranty with these outdoor solar lights and a 6-month money-back guarantee. In addition, Avaspot is known for their reliable customer service.

The Amir solar powered string lights are highly flexible solar lights with a wide range of applications and nearly infinite possibilities. You can use these lights to decorate indoors or outdoors, illuminate festivities such as parties or weddings, create scenes for Christmas and Halloween, or creatively light up your patio, lawn, windows and much more.

These solar string lights consist of 100 or 150 LEDs strung together on 33 feet or 50 feet of high quality copper wire. You can see the lights from every angle and the flexible wire becomes nearly invisible in the dark for a truly impressive effect. You can select the light temperature: warm white or bright white are available.

The lights are coiled with a bobbin winder for easy and compact coiling and storage. The flexible wire can easily be wrapped around trees and structures to build any shape you want. You can select an auto on/off for light from dusk until dawn, and there are two light modes, flashing or steady lights.

Thanks to true placement options, you are also very flexible in how you charge and use the Amir solar string lights. You can use the included stake to place the solar cell on the ground for charging, either temporarily or permanently. You also have the option to mount the solar cell on a wall.

When placed close to a window or door, you can easily string the lights inside. Of course, you always have the option to place the lights into the sun before they are needed and then string them after the battery has charged. You get up to 12 hours of light on a full charge, which requires approximately 8 hours of sunlight, depending on conditions.

The built-in 1.2V 1,200mAh Ni-MH battery cannot be replaced, and you cannot replace individual LEDs. However, failure of an individual light does not mean the entire chain goes dark, and these LEDs have a long lifespan. Both the solar panel and the string lights are IP65 waterproof, so you need not worry about leaving them out in the rain.

The Amir solar powered string lights are a highly affordable and flexible solution for creating stunning decorations and amazing light effects, both inside and outside.

The Gama Sonic Baytown II is a versatile outdoor solar light fixture suitable for a wall mount or placement on a post or pole. It is made from rugged and UV-protected ABS poly-resin and will resist rain and snow. The construction is water- and rustproof. The only maintenance required is replacing the batteries every 2 to 3 years.

All the hardware necessary for a wall or surface mount or placement on a post is included. The dimensions are 16 x 12 x 10 inches, and the collar fits a standard 3” round pole (not included). The best placement is where the unit ix exposed to ample sunshine hours during the day.

The solar light will automatically turn on at dusk to shine at 130 Lumens for up to 10 hours on a full charge. The LEDs are surrounded by a cone reflector to enhance the brightness and 360° distribution of the light. The color temperature is specified as 6000K, a crystal white.

The built-in monocrystalline solar panel is protected by tempered glass and will charge the internal lithium-ion battery in about 6 hours of sunshine. A unique feature is the second battery compartment. The unit includes one replaceable battery already. You have the option to add a second 1,500mAh battery.

This is helpful if there are more than four sunshine hours per day and you can increase the light hours of the unit. With shorter exposure, the second battery will not charge.

The only minor disadvantage to this outdoor solar post light is that there is only one color choice. The unit comes in a stylish black design, but some users might prefer an inconspicuous white. Apart from that, you get a durable and long lasting bright outdoor light with the Gama Sonic Baytown II.

The Benefits Of Outdoor Solar Lights

Eco-friendly: Solar LED lights are environmentally friendly and help you reduce your carbon footprint by using less energy from non-renewable sources.

Easy installation: All of the models we’ve reviewed are simple and straightforward to place or put up. You don’t need to worry about wiring as solar lights are independent from the power grid. They’re safe to use around children and many lights can simply be placed on or near the ground with no manual labor necessary.

Variable use: Because there are no permanent wires, you can easily rearrange your solar lighting setup. Even wall mounted lights commonly use hooks or mounts that are not permanently attached to the device, allowing you to move individual units around as needed, for example for summer/winter variations.

Low maintenance: Once installed, you need to pay little attention to outdoor solar lights. The panel needs cleaning now and then, and you might want to check that stake models are still firmly placed in the ground now and then. An annual battery check-up is also recommended.

Different styles: With many different applications, styles, light color temperatures and numbers of LED, it’s easy to pick the right solar outdoor light to fit your need.

Cost-effective: Solar energy has become very affordable. Apart from the fact that the models we’ve reviewed already feature great prices, you’ll be saving on your energy bill in the long run.

Flexibility: You can always add more solar LED lights without the headache of having to run more power wires to remote locations on your property.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Solar Lights

How do outdoor solar lights work?

Most solar powered outdoor lights consist of a solar cell, a rechargeable battery, LED lights and a photoresistor. During the day, the solar panel is exposed to sunshine and charges the battery.

As it gets dark, the photoresistor detects the absence of light and the device switches from charging to powering the LEDs, which illuminate the area around them. Some models also include a motion sensor and give you the option of only powering the lights when nearby movement is detected.

How long do solar lights last?

In terms of light hours, it depends on the individual model. A larger solar panel can charge the internal battery faster, and a higher battery capacity means more light hours. Most models are built to power through the night on a day of solid sunshine, so uptime is typically between six and eight hours.

As for overall lifespan, rechargeable batteries tend to last for two to three years if they are charged periodically. Most LEDs have a lifetime of up to 100,000 hours.

Is solar lights maintenance required?

Outdoor solar-powered LED lights require sunshine as their source of energy. To ensure optimal function and efficiency, clean the solar panel regularly so no dust or dirt accumulates. During the winter, days are shorter, so you might experience shorter light hours at night, especially on cloudy days.

Make sure no snow or ice covers the solar panels. For storage, switch the device off and keep it in a dry place. Both in use and in storage, check the battery at least once per year.

How durable are outdoor solar lights?

Solar lights for outdoor use are designed with durable materials that keep out water and humidity. On a model with tempered glass, make sure the appropriate temperature range is not exceeded so the glass does not shatter.

If there is a lot of rain, snow or wind, outdoor solar lights might need extra protection. Don’t submerge outdoor solar LED lights under water and don’t expose them to extremely hot temperatures.

Conclusion

Solar powered outdoor lights are a cheap, flexible and durable option for illuminating many different spots around your property or decorating individual parts of your house, patio or garden. Using the sun as a free energy source, you’re independent of outlets and need not bother with wiring.

You can combine different models to create the effect or amount of illumination you require. We trust that you’ll be satisfied with the solar spot lights, solar flood lights, solar patio lights, solar string lights and solar post lights we’ve reviewed.

Thanks for reading The 5 Best Outdoor Solar Lights. We hope that the article has been helpful and informative to you when selecting outdoor solar led lights for your home or business.

Notice: Outside Pursuits is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees sold through by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links.
Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliate links supports our efforts to bring you the best possible product reviews at no additional cost to you. We appreciate your support here at OutsidePursuits.com

About El Tigre

Richard M. aka El Tigre is an avid adventure traveler with extensive trekking experience throughout Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.
In 1998 he weathered category 5 Hurricane Mitch on the northern coast of Honduras. He has mountain-biked, hiked and 4x4 toured extensively in Central America, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Mexico. In the summer of 2004 he lived among the Kuna Indians of the San Blas islands in Panama.
Today, he manages a real estate investments company based in San Jose, Costa Rica and organizes adventure travel excursions to Costa Rica.
He is a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoys sport touring and dual-sport riding. Richard lives in Arizona.